HELP LINGUISTICS

[angry2008]

Does anyone know and understand linguistics? I have an assignment to do and can't answer the bloody questions!

[carolegif]

What are the questions?

[angry2008]

theres loads........ list 3 different auxilary verbs in the transcription (story of cinderellla - Re told so slightly different to norm) identify the context in which the auxiliary occurs by giving three words on either side of it.... explain why the words chosen act as auxiliary words.... I don't know how to work out what an auxiliary verb is, or how to explain why i have chosen it.... .looked at different sites to explain auxiliary verbs but still non the wiser

[carolegif]

An auxilliary verb is one which helps another verb i.e. can, have, is, etc. It helps the finite form of the verb to get another tense e.g passive, past historic etc.

[angry2008]

so if i said.............cinders had to do all the cleaning..... which is the auxiliary and how would i explain that?

[Kim A]

Don't know if it will help, but basically, auxilliary verbs are the verbs 'to be' and 'to have', with the addition of the incomplete verbs like 'shall', 'will', 'may', 'might' and 'do' (amongst others). Examples: I HAVE seen, I AM going, I SHALL go, she WILL go, we MAY call., DO you want us to bring anything?'. Hope it helps!